Cheryl Lampasona says she is running for re-election for a third term May 17 to maintain the progress that the Mineola Union Free School District has made since she’s been on the board. The incumbent is the only candidate on the ballot this year to fill the only seat up for election, her own. 

“It’s like a big wave that never crashes,” Lampasona said in an interview with Blank Slate Media. 

Before her time on the board, Lampasona was on the Hampton Street School PTA where she served as president until her initial run for school board in 2016 when she ran unopposed for Vice President Patricia Navarra’s seat after she stepped down. 

Lampasona is currently a school teacher with the New York Department of Education in Queens. 

Throughout her past six years and potentially upcoming ones, Lampasona said she is committed to “maintaining an enhanced curriculum while keeping taxpayers in mind.” 

This year, the district approved a $100 million budget for the 2022–2023 fiscal year with a 0% tax levy for the second year in a row. Since the state tax levy cap was implemented 11 years ago, the district says there has been an average of a 1.30% tax levy increase, while avoiding reductions in services or programs. 

Lampasona said she was appreciative of the work the district administration has done to keep Mineola at the standards it has been for years. 

“Superintendent [Michael] Nagler and his team are very innovative and we do a great job of combining all our voices together for the greater good,” Lampasona said.

Full-day pre-K and a dual language program up to ninth grade were a few of the accomplishments Lampasona said the district has enjoyed in recent years. She also has two children in the district and expects to be a trustee on the board after they graduate high school.

“I’m on the board for everyone’s children, not just my own,” Lampasona said. “I really do love this district and all the wonderful things we do and the accolades we get. I love seeing it come to fruition, it really is a wonderful thing.”

Voting for Mineola will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Jackson Avenue and Meadow Drive Elementary School on Tuesday, May 17.